Chapter Twelve: Bonds

“Clang!”

The wooden tablet in Fang Xuanling’s hand suddenly dropped to the floor.

Even this seasoned minister who had served through three reigns was momentarily at a loss, stunned by the Crown Prince’s words today!

The sound seemed like a cue. As Minister Fang bent to retrieve the tablet, he saw Wei Zheng, the remonstrating official who had long held back, now storming into the hall with fierce determination.

“Absurd!” Wei Zheng, true to his reputation as the foremost critic of the Zhenguan era, rebuked the Crown Prince sharply.

“If Your Highness intends to establish military agricultural settlements run by merchants, wouldn’t a single misstep lead to the same calamities of powerful clans usurping lands as in the Eastern Han?”

“Allowing merchants to control frontier military provisions and supplies, oppressing border residents unchecked, will leave farmers landless and people destitute! Worse still, merchants might grow too powerful, breeding baseless ambitions!”

“What then? How would Your Highness manage that?” Wei Zheng’s words came forth in a torrent, spittle flying with his passionate outburst.

Yet Li Chengqian showed no fear. Instead, he met the remonstrator’s gaze steadily and replied with conviction:

“That is precisely why I previously petitioned to establish the Maritime Trade Office—to strictly regulate contracts and restrain merchants.”

“I recall, Minister Wei, you just last month submitted the Supplement to the Equal-Field Decree, which can be employed to limit the acreage merchants may contract.”

Wei Zheng was momentarily stunned.

He hadn’t expected that the very decree he proposed last month would, as if by some twist of fate, provide the Crown Prince with ammunition to counter his objections.

It all felt intricately connected.

While Wei Zheng was caught off guard, Li Chengqian continued:

“By tackling the issue from both ends, merchants can be assured in planting vineyards to trade grapes towards the Central Plains, then purchasing provisions to supply the frontier army.”

“If any still doubt the sufficiency of these constraints, I have further measures to ensure merchants can never grow beyond control!”

“Oh?” Now it was Zhangsun Wuji’s turn to express curiosity, unable to resist asking, “What does Your Highness suggest as the best safeguard?”

Li Chengqian answered confidently:

“In the Hexi region, the strongest force is naturally the frontier army. A large military presence suppressing the area inherently threatens merchants.”

“If the court worries about their alliance or one side being coerced, the Emperor can dispatch royal princes to oversee the army in Hexi.”

“This way, the three parties assist one another while mutually supervising. The court need not fear. In fact, I already have the ideal candidate in mind.”

He smiled brightly and looked toward Wei Wang Li Tai, who had earlier challenged him.

“Prince Wei, as Your Majesty’s legitimate son and my own brother, would be the perfect person to govern Hexi on behalf of the Emperor and myself, safeguarding the borders and bringing peace to the people.”

“Since Hexi’s cultural traditions have long been severed, my fourth brother’s literary talents could also serve to educate and civilize the border residents on behalf of the court.”

Within the hall, the ministers exchanged glances.

They had expected the Crown Prince to be unable to counter Prince Wei’s challenge.

Who would have thought he would, like a gazelle twisting its horns, turn the tables and elevate Prince Wei so high, ultimately sending him off to the frontier?

It was a knockout move.

Not only did he clear himself, but he also deftly dissolved all of Prince Wei’s accusations with dignity.

Remarkable!

Thus, although the Crown Prince petitioned for reform of the military agricultural system, he effectively delegated authority to Prince Wei.

This not only showed that the Crown Prince’s proposals were selfless but also handed Prince Wei an imposing challenge.

Everyone knew Prince Wei had been favored since childhood and stubbornly clung to Chang’an without any desire for a fiefdom.

Why?

Precisely to enjoy proximity to power and privilege.

If sent to the frontier, the throne would be forever out of reach.

As for the threat of Prince Wei commanding the frontier army?

Zhangsun Wuji’s faction felt there was no cause for concern.

Putting aside the fact that the frontier army’s provisions and arms depended entirely on the Central Plains, thus under court control...

The Emperor was still at the peak of his power, commanding great respect in the military. Would he really fear a mere Prince Wei rebellion?

Even if the Crown Prince and the retired Emperor conspired together, the Emperor could crush them with a flick of his hand!

So there was simply no need to worry.

With this in mind, the Crown Prince’s proposal showed great promise!

Burdened by the court’s financial and logistical hardships, the civil and military officials all began to quietly ponder how to implement the Crown Prince’s numerous policies.

On the Dragon Throne,

Li Shimin’s eyes gleamed with shifting light.

His fingers tapped unconsciously on the armrest, clearly unable to contain his joy.

Watching his eldest son’s radiant demeanor, it was impossible to deny his happiness!

Even the splendid golden phoenix embroidery on Li Chengqian’s dark robe seemed to flutter as if about to take flight in the Emperor’s eyes.

Li Shimin’s mind involuntarily recalled how, in childhood, Li Chengqian struggled with the Imperial Garden Classic, stammering through several readings and needing repeated tracing to remember it well.

Now, though his boots still bore the mud of Pingkang Lane, he could stand confidently in the grand hall before all the civil and military ministers, speaking with boldness and ease!

My eldest son has truly come into his own!

Within the hall, the ministers remained silent.

Even Prince Wei Li Tai, struck down by the Crown Prince’s counterattack, kept his head bowed, daring not to speak further, let alone oppose.

He feared the Emperor’s notice and the possibility of being sent to Hexi to govern as requested by the Crown Prince.

He did not want to leave his fief, much less the distant Hexi region!

Indeed, even he could see that the Crown Prince’s proposal would very likely be accepted by Li Shimin on the spot.

No other reason—pure self-interest.

As for the ministers, Li Chengqian had precisely targeted the court’s greatest weakness and prescribed the perfect remedy. How could the entire court not be moved?

Having previously reveled in publicly attacking the Crown Prince,

How deeply Prince Wei Li Tai now regretted it!

He could only pray inwardly for some minister to rise in opposition,

Or for the Emperor to reject the Crown Prince’s petition!

Alas, Li Shimin had last night wished he could immediately decree its implementation and would certainly not block it.

Seeing the ministers silent, he suddenly chuckled softly, “Ministers, what do you think of the Crown Prince’s proposal? Is it feasible?”

At the sound of the Emperor’s voice, the usually proud ministers of the Great Tang all bowed deeply.

“Your humble servants... respectfully await Your Majesty’s wise judgment!”

It was clearly the tide of consensus; there was not a single dissenter.

At that moment, Li Chengqian involuntarily straightened his posture, standing upright beside the imperial desk.

The surge of excitement within his chest made him feel as though his heart might soar!

For his first formal petition, all the civil and military officials had agreed so readily?

He had so easily persuaded both his father and every minister in the court?

Not to mention others, even Li Chengqian found it somewhat unbelievable!

At this moment, his heart was filled entirely with Zhao Mu!